Joke’s on Kiz.
“Marcus Camby shackled the Nuggets? This is a joke, right? If it isn’t a joke, Mark Kiszla should: A) get fired; B) learn the game of basketball, or C) get some glasses. There’s a reason why Camby never did the down-and- dirty work in the paint. It’s because he’s not a shutdown, on-the-ball defender, but a weak side-help defender. Heck, the whole team is filled with those. The difference is Camby can actually play (and dominate at) weak side-help defense.”
C.S., Boulder
Kiz: At a time when banks are failing and retirement savings are being wiped out, it’s reassuring to know somebody can work up real anger for the Nuggets unloading a center paid $10 million per year to average 10 points per game. Anybody who ever saw Bill Russell — or Dikembe Mutombo, for that matter — play intimidating defense in the lane would never say Camby was a great defender. In fact, “dominant weak side-help defense” might be the very definition of an NBA oxymoron.
A defensible move.
“Many die-hard Nuggets fans, myself included, agree wholeheartedly that Camby shackled the Nuggets. I said ‘good riddance’ when they traded him. More often than not, his scoring was in the single digits. He never went up for a putback and there were no strong moves to the basket. I have heard many negative comments about getting rid of our best defensive player, but many of us think it’s a good move.”
Dolly, Denver
Kiz: An aging Camby could not get coach George Karl out of the playoffs’ first round. If Karl can not coax more from young Nuggets Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith and Linas Kleiza, it’s the coach who will be following Camby out of town.
50 wins? Pie in Nuggets sky.
“I think it’s hilarious a sportswriter could use ’50 wins’ and ‘Denver Nuggets’ in the same sentence within the context of the 2008-09 season. The Nuggets’ two best players are way overrated, and one of them is aging. I don’t see them as a contender. Put me down for 39 wins. It might be 42 or 35, but definitely not 50.”
Tomasz, Krakow, Poland
Kiz: Jak sie masz, Tomasz? Always good to hear from a homeboy back in the old country. Listen, I’m not guaranteeing the Nuggies will make the playoffs. But as sure as the folks who predicted Denver would win 60 last year were crazy optimistic, the doom-and-gloomers who insist the team definitely will finish below .500 this season have not noticed how old San Antonio, Phoenix and Dallas are looking.
Losing our religion.
“You wrote a great column about 10 years ago that helped set a Colorado High School Activities Association policy not to have any state tournaments conflict with Yom Kippur. It seems very odd the Cherry Creek School District is now OK with having a regular-season gymnastics meet on Yom Kippur. Saying that scheduling is complicated is a cop-out. Of course scheduling is complicated. What’s not complicated is making sure athletic events aren’t scheduled on certain days of the year.”
Will, Boulder
Kiz: Sports have become such a “religion” in this country that we have forgotten playing a game can only diminish the importance of a true holy day. So why would the preps schedule gymnastics on Yom Kippur or the NFL play football on Christmas? Although we pledge allegiance to one nation under God, Americans now consider it our inalienable right to be entertained 365 days per year.
Parting shot
Remember D-Will
And today’s parting shot suggests it would be a crime if the identity of an accused murderer becomes as well-known as the good name of late Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams.
“I believe those involved in the murder will suffer God’s punishment. Although I don’t live in Denver, I have contributed to the Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center, and I believe we should put our efforts there. I still shed tears when I think of the loss of No. 27, but also smile remembering all the goodness and happiness his memory inspires.”
Amy, Montrose
